Here's the thing... and it's a nice coincidence DLCs are being discussed on another thread:
I think I mentioned before -- not sure I did, but am doing it now -- that the civilization series is one of my most celebrated games of all times. I just love it to bits. Particularly when playing with other folks. So surely you'd expect me to excited when V came out last year, instead of having boycotted the game as I eventually done.
It was only by chance I actually didn't buy the game at the time. I just postponed it because in September and all the way to December I knew I wouldn't have any free time to spend on games. Those were some crazy months, I'm telling ya. But when I finally could have made it, there were already 3 different versions of the game out and one DLC if I remember correctly, with more to announced to come. That irritated me.
It's not enough that we already have to deal with DLCs having become a segmentation factor among the gaming community, but this horrible trend of selling different versions of the game depending on where or when you buy it, further contributes for players to not share the same game among them. In a game like Civilization this is particularly devastating if you want to play with others. Either you share the same DLCs and whatever extra content was on display the day you bought it, or you are limited to a number of stock civilizations to choose from, making your investment less attractive.
So at the time (this was around late February) I decided to boycott the game. I wouldn't think I would ever do something like that to a Civilization game. But I did and don't regret it. I'm a long time fan, since day 1. Some civilization games, like II and III I even have more than one copy that I would purchase when one friend couldn't so I had a playing LAN buddy. Sent an email to Firaxis telling them about my decision, which I don't care if they read or not (never got a reply) and, despite the excellent price of this offer, all I can say to Firaxis is to shove it where the sun doesn't shine. When they feel like returning to their roots and produce a game EVERYONE can enjoy in equal measure without that involving matching DLCs and extra content, I'll be again dealing with the inspirational Firaxis of old with their mind on maiing money (no doubt) but without sucking every bit of blood on my body.
